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WIW: Inspired by Dianthus

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've been enjoying reading Dianthus' style musings lately and her ability and willingness to stay true to her style. Her love of wide legged pants in particular struck a chord in me. So today, I dug out a pair of wide legged pants I haven't worn in ages.

Today's outfit started with these micro check wide legged grey/black/navy trousers. I never felt great in these pants but I think it was partially due to the footwear. Today I paired the trousers with my black pointy heel pumps and suddenly felt much better. For me, I think refined footwear is needed with wide legs.

I then added my simple black knit pullover with 3/4 length sleeves, untucked for a change. When I head out the door, I'll add my navy leather jacket. Accessories include my black handbag, silver watch/bangle/wedding band and black/white specs.

This is a very simple outfit and I wish that still photos could give an idea of how an item moves with you when you stride. I really like how these trousers flow when walking.

So anyway, over to you…what are your thoughts on this easy-peasy outfit? Does it work? Are the pants flattering or should I put them back in the probation pile? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Pullover: Sears
Trousers: Express Editor
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Handbag and jacket: Danier Leather

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Aquamarine

Veteran

I agree wide legs look best in motion. I like these here, and think you should keep them if you enjoy them! Your shoe choice is spot on, and can I say I love that jacket??

Beth Ann

Veteran

Another wide-leg girl here! The swish of a pant can feel so luxurious, and I love a micro pattern, too!

There's no question that footwear (and the right length) are key to this look, and you're looking terrific!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant, Shannon! I love the simplicity here - and your jacket! Great choices.

Astrid

Veteran

I like the wide legs! I think your outfit looks great, I like the simplicity. I say wear them more, if you feel good in them. They certainly look good!

Anonymous

First off, this is a perfectly pulled-together and classy looking work outfit. I love the mix of black and blue - coveting your jacket in a big way (there are NEVER navy leather jackets out there!) . Can I admit that I am on the fence with wide-leg pants? I too love the way they feel and swish around when you walk, and have had more than a few pair in my closet over the years, but there is something about what length they should be that I can't quite reconcile in my mind. I like seeing a shoe - and also am not a fan of pants puddling around the foot, but this is going to happen with a wide leg, isn't it? Anyways, I;m thinking aloud here - because, like you, I've been reading others' posts (Cheryle's) with interest this week.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well I've been wearing the pants for a few hours now and I'm not happy in them. Although I like the way they move when I walk, I still feel sloppy and frumpy in them. I do like them better with the pointy shoe but it's not enough, ya know?

Lisa - I actually like the length of the legs on these - they are about 1/4 inch from the floor which I think is about PPL, although I could be wrong.

I think my overall issue with the trousers isn't the wider legs but actually the fit of the pants everywhere else. They feel slightly too big. I don't even think they are going to go back into the probation pile - I think they're going to go into the purge pile.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think this is a great, simple outfit. But not a "wow". I'm doing some psyco-analysing here in figuring out why, and I think it's because it's very similar to an outfit _I_ would wear and not feel wow in. Nice pants sweater and shoes, but missing the element that takes it up a notch. Does this make sense?

Also... I'm sure the pants are PPL, however I don't care for the way they are catching up on your foot. To my eye, this makes them look too long. Probably the same thing lisap is wrestling with.

jackiec

Veteran

Sounds like you've figured it out!

I was going to say that it's a nice change of silhouette and they look like a good basic wide pant. But if you're not loving them......

Anonymous

Me again:) they looked long right in front, but a picture isn't often the best way to determine. I think the sloppy/frumpy feeling nails it - at least for me. That is EXACTLY how I feel wearing them too. I was thinking more about these types of pants, and something I have noticed is that the fabrications and other design details often haven't kept pace with style and silhouette trends. And - yes, they are probably too big for you - which is why they might look a tad long and loose. Sorry if I'm getting way too far into this - I don't mean to criticize, I just completely agree with you here

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Elizabeth & Jackie - yep...FAR from wow. In fact, I'm actually wishing I could go home and change - lol!

Lisa - I don't think you're criticizing at all - I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Well, now you know!
And I think I learned something here too. Thank you.

Neel

Veteran

I remember these pants and anything that makes you work too hard ... Shouldn't remain in your closet. I like the outfit and the color combo. But I definitely prefer many of your other recent outfits.

lyn67

Veteran

Like the wide legs on you and Dianthus-(and I may dig out mines tomorrow) but sorry for the frumpy feelin'. I so hate when it happens. Yesterday was feeling me the same, I went to work feelin fab in a skirt combo, and came home fed up with frumpiness. How can this happen over the day? It was the same outfit, after all:-(.

Aida

Veteran

Aw it's not fun feeling like you want to change! I sympathize, though also want to say you don't at all *look* like you need to go home and change (so that's good!). This type of larger overall wide leg fit is a bit tricky to style. I have a pair in light gray that fit me similarly and it does take a fair amount of structure to feel right (they're actually Editors, too). Not saying you should keep anything that makes you feel unfab but if it helps at all here's how I wore mine recently. They are also notoriously difficult to photograph!

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cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Hi Shannon. I tried to post from work but accidentally deleted it so am trying again.

First, I am extremely flattered that I could be inspiration for you. Perhaps even honored.

I think the outfit looks really nice. I like the simple elegance and the blue with the black/grey combo. The accessories really work well too. What I find with wide-legged pants is that they have to fit well in the waist and hips to add structure and shape and offset the fullness of the legs. I suspect if you had WW take in the torso portion of the pants, it would be a whole different look and feel.

I hope you felt better as the day progressed. You did look good even if you didn't feel it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Aida - thanks for the visual - that is very helpful. Maybe a more structured jacket would balance the wider pant leg on me.

Dianthus - you are spot on. The pants don't fit well in the waist or hip area. I actually quite like the fit from the upper thigh down. Will give some thought about alteration. Thanks for the advice.

rabbit

Veteran

One thing I noticed with my older wide-leg pants when I tried them out and about for one day, is they really didn't fit as well as I remembered at the TOP because my weight had changed since I last wore them. This is the problem I've had with pants in a holding zone -- I save them because they fit and I loved them at one point but then styles changed... and I forgot that my body had changed too.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'm similarly struggling with pair of black wide leg trousers that fit loosely all the way down and are slightly too short as well. Pointy shoes might help as you have tried. Maybe a bootie would be better or a shoe the same color as the pants. In my case the leg opening at the bottom is just too wide and too short to look good. This was a good post to think through. Maybe your pants can be saved by tailoring.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think the outfit LOOKED great but if it did not FEEL great then it may be time to part.
I echo dianthus that the fit on the top is very important for wide leg pants - that and style of the top. You do need more structure with them and it may be that you pullover did not have enough of it.
These pants are tricky to style and weather -dependent and have high shoe requirements - so no wonder I don't wear mine very often even though I like them.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What Dianthus said. She has got the right idea on the pants fit, and I agree the outfit looked elegant, especially in photo 1. Maybe you could stand in the pants in your photo 1 pose and avoid the alteration fees.